Summer is almost here. I got a preview of it this past weekend when my hubby and I attended my friend Jessica's wedding in Costa Rica. It was a scorching 90 degrees but absolutely beautiful. There's no better excuse than a vacation in a tropical climate to hang around in the pool and watch the iguanas (there were tons of them!) sunning themselves.

This month's "Personal Note & Life Lessons" focuses on creating your Vision Board as a tool to make your goals and dreams a reality. (Stay tuned...next month, I'll show you how to create a Career Vision Board and tell you what components to include to help you clarify your career direction.) In "Career Corner" if you've been downsized or are out of work due to the recession, I'm giving you 6 quick tips on how to best prepare for your next job interview.

If you are struggling with your career direction and can't decide on the best career path for you, check out my Identifying Your Purpose Coaching Group starting next week. Contact me right away to schedule a complimentary consultation to find out if this group is a fit for you.

And don't forget to check out the "Where's Hallie" section for some extra, f**ree career advice about avoiding toxic workplaces and how to deal with a bad review.

Personal Note & Life Lesson

You CAN Make Things Happen - Visualize Your Goals

Last month I mentioned how excited I was about taking Baby V on his first visit to the pool. Well... we haven't made it yet! The weather here in Atlanta hasn't been cooperating. But, we will get there soon. I can't wait to see how he reacts to the water. Here's a recent picture of the little guy. He's growing like a weed.

As you know, I love to travel. This past weekend my hubby and I went to Costa Rica for a wedding. It was FAB. What a gorgeous country. This is the resort where we stayed.

Travel is on my top ten list of favorite things to do. I recently revised my Vision Board to include a list of destinations I want to visit in the next few years. If you've paid attention to the buzz about the Law of Attraction and the movie The Secret, you already know about a Vision Board.

Here's the deal: One way I set and achieve my goals is by visualizing exactly what I want. It helps me stay focused and thinking positively about each goal. You can do the same thing. Here’s a quick overview of how to create your own Vision Board: 1) Make a list of the top 10 things you want to have or create in your life. They can be anything – tangible or intangible - like a trip to Macchu Pichu, someone to help you market your business, or a certain amount of money you want to have to give away to charity. 2) Get a posterboard or a large sheet of paper. 3) Cut out or draw pictures of the top 10 things that you want and place them on your vision board. The order or placement is completely up to you. 4) Place your Vision Board somewhere you will see it every day. Your end result should be something that when you look at it, you know clearly what you’re going for and you get excited about the possibility of having it. Good luck! I hope this helps.

What's New and Cool

Don't Miss Your Chance to Get Your Career and Personal Goals on Track FAST...

Tune up’s aren’t just for cars! Moving forward with your personal and career goals can be tough if you’re unsure about what you really want. Kicking off May 14, 2008, the Identifying Your Purpose Coaching Group is a 6 part interactive, coaching group experience with 3 calls per month for 2 months and includes unlimited email to me, plus bonus resource material!

New Coaching Package: Create Your Own Path - Buddy Career Coaching Program

Take a look at this new, two for one coaching package - The Buddy Career Coaching Program is a more affordable, incredibly effective alternative to individual coaching.

You and a friend share coaching appointments and split my regular coaching fee. Buddy Coaching allows you to have an an additional accountability partner who can motivate, challenge, inspire and support you while you work towards similar goals. Having a friend coach with you allows for additional creative ideas, feedback and unique thoughts. Schedule a complimentary consultation to find out if buddy coaching is right for you. If you don't have a buddy, I can pair you up with someone else who's interested.

Flying Solo: Career Transition Tips for Singles

Don't let your single status hold you back from the career you've always wanted! Finally…here is a book that gives singles the boost they need to make a career change. Click here to pre-order your copy today.

Articles

In April, I was thrilled to contribute to and be published in three articles. Click on the links below to get some bonus career advice!

"5 Things to Do If You Get a Bad Review"Yahoo HotJobs - April 18, 2008"Turning a Negative Employee Evaluation to Positive"The Savvy Gal.com - April 2, 2008"Beware of the Toxic Workplace"Media Job Market - April 1, 2008

Career Corner

The best way to ace your next job interview is to prepare for it. This may sound obvious, but it's not. Too many applicants walk into an interview without knowing as much as they should about the industry, the company and its problems. Remember, you are there to solve a problem. Otherwise, the company wouldn't be hiring. Follow these steps:

1. Know the company. Find out as much as you can about the position, the company and its needs, so you can show how your background meets those needs.

2. Know yourself. Mentally review the skills and character traits you have that will help the company's bottom line. Think in terms of the value you can add to the position and the company. * I recommend creating an interview cheat sheet which includes 1) the questions you want to ask the interviewer, and 2) the key points about yourself that you want to make sure you get across during the interview. Bring it with you! It shows you're prepared, organized, and care about landing the job.

3. Know your job history. Mentally review your past achievements and be prepared to describe your work experience in detail. Gather letters of reference and samples of your work to present to the interviewer as proof of your past accomplishments.

4. Know the questions. You can almost bet on being asked: "Tell me about yourself." Approach this from the employer's point of view. Think of the worst questions you could be asked about your experience and abilities, then prepare positive responses.

5. Prepare questions of your own. Employers are as interested in your questions as they are in your answers. And they'll react favorably if you ask intelligent questions about the position, the company and the industry.

6. Get the big picture. Visualize the entire interview, from start to finish. See yourself as performing with style and confidence. How will the interview end? Will you get a job offer or be called back for a second interview? How much salary do you want? What kind of benefits? The research you did in step 1 will give you an idea of what to expect.

If you'd like to use these tips in your newsletter or website: You can, as long as you include this "blurb" with it: Hallie Crawford, certified Career Coach is changing the way people feel about work-from just a paycheck to a fulfilling endeavor that is an extension of their purpose and passion. If you're ready to have a career you love, learn more about Hallie at http://www.HallieCrawford.com.

Hallie Recommends

Very Cool Video: I've kept this video in my email inbox so I can watch it anytime I need a boost of inspiration. If this woman can ride her horse without a saddle and bridle - what's possible in your life? Challenge your assumptions of what's possible for you in your career.